Misinformation governance and regulation

The ubiquity of the Internet and proliferation of social media seem to connote a free and borderless flow of information. However, the rise of misinformation and disinformation in online spaces have prompted states to exercise greater governance over the Internet and by holding private firms accountable for content monitoring. This increased regulatory scrutiny has created new tensions with social media firms that prefer minimal regulatory supervision. We examine the regulatory strategies of five countries (the United Kingdom, France, USA, China and Singapore) to highlight the variegated approaches to regulating misinformation and disinformation. In doing so, we draw out the complexities in the state’s struggle to assert jurisdiction over cyberspace, including difficulties in operationalizing key terms and concepts, as well as balancing citizens’ rights to freedom of expression.